Carnival night in Weston. After a long and trying, but ultimately pretty successful day at the office, headed directly to the station. Revenue protection preparations had already begun for the influx of passengers coming to view the parade. Having grown up in Burnham (which always had a slightly superior procession in those days) I've avoided the carnival in recent years. The way it divides Weston in two just makes life awkward. Not sorry then to be heading out of town tonight. Quick wander around Temple Meads, a rather lukewarm coffee, and over to Platform 4 amidst some familiar faces.

The plan was to run the remaining Wessex 31 set to Weston and back as a relief to cater for carnival crowds. I wasn't convinced there would be huge demand. How wrong I was. Started pretty heavily loaded due to delayed passengers resulting from an earlier bridge strike at Swindon. Nailsea, Yatton and Worle produced hundreds of passengers. On arriving at Weston, crowd control measures for exits, buffet and toilets in operation. Swift dash through the melee to change ends - passing my manager with her children struggling to escape the station on the way.

Back to Bristol behind 31601 in slightly less cosy conditions. Plan to have 31s on standby for later relief had been abandoned, and word was it would be an Adelante. Decided to head back on the 2006. A pleasant enough evening, and good to get haulage into my home station once again. Not the best run for the locos - short, with too many stops - but sadly, its a case of enjoying them while we still can.

Up early today, since the ongoing engineering works between Cheltenham and Birmingham have made it hard to get to Gloucester at a sensible hour. Out on the 0640 to Bristol, and then to Gloucester. Time to wander into town for coffee and breakfast before returning for the first haulage of the day.

Arrived to find that the expected Class 37 top and tailed rugby special was late - things were going badly wrong in South Wales. Firstly 37422 had failed on a westbound freight. A 37 had also failed on the Rhymney service, but was later fixed despite rumours of a no-heat tractor going to the rescue. No wonder then that our incoming 0810 from Cardiff was late. Thundered in, with 37418 at the head and 67026 at the rear.

Went as far as Newport, and decided to hop off to see what was happening. Class 60s on the move at Godfrey Road, rescued 37422 passing, 67 hauled Rugby specials, and 09015 on a Llanwern-ADJ trip.

Hung around for the return of 37418/67026 to Cardiff. Up and back, on a surprisingly lightly loaded service. Went as far as Cardiff this time and spent an hour or so watching activities and comparing notes with fellow platform-enders who'd travelled quite a distance for today's events. Bizarre misunderstanding where a member of 'security' staff interpreted the 'Passengers must not cross the line' notices as referring to an imaginary parallel which he'd devised. Cries of 'Get back over the line!' being met with blank stares and general merriment.


Once the match had begun and things were quieter, headed back to a damp and miserable Bristol. Went for a pint of Butcombe to pass the time. Onto the 1723 back to Cardiff, which deposited me into a massive crowd of rugby fans. A London service in particular was wedged solid on leaving. Wondered how crowded the 1900 would be? Weirdly, after witnessing the devastation of a football match in Cardiff, I was struck by how generally well-behaved the rugby fans were. In fact, I witnessed only a minor domestic where a female South Africa supporter took a shine to a Wales fan and closed the doors of a Pembroke Dock service to prevent her boyfriend getting on. These things happen, so I'm told!

The 1900 relief to Westbury arrived 22 late due to a missing guard. Relieved to see some other Class 31 bashers around prior to its arrival. Not disappointed - 31128 and 31454 arrived on what might well be their last Wessex performance. Faulty electrics in the leading coach meant we got to see many firework displays in perfect conditions on the journey back to Bristol. Somewhere along the way, joining cranks reported the devastating news of unfolding events on 1C92 at Ufton Nervet. Called my parents to reassure them I was nowhere near, and listened with horror as more news arrived. Early insider info from better connected people than I point to a deliberate act, which is almost too horrible for words. It was oddly comforting to be among so many railway workers and enthusiasts at such a strange time. Headed home from Bristol, in rather a subdued and reflective mood after a varied and interesting day.

Reportedly, today was the last day of Class 31 hauled services to Weymouth. Naturally, quite a lot of cranks planned to show up - and a general convergence on Temple Meads this morning made for something of an event atmosphere. Problem was, the Peds are back next week! Wessex reportedly have in excess of twenty units out of traffic - including the burned-out 143623 which is surely destined for scrap. Also, lets not forget 150234 which met a tractor near Newquay. I get the feeling there maybe several 'last ever' trains before this year is out - notwithstanding the plan to do away with locomotives on the FO Brighton run in December.

Still, I've not been to Weymouth for a while. I've not done it often over the summer, firstly due to the diversion of other things, and I confess I find parts of the run almost unbearably dull. I'm not sure why - I always have. The traction has often made up for this, and perhaps I will eventually get around to scanning shots of Class 37/4s on the 'Sand and Cycle Explorer' back in the mid-1990s. Today - overall, a good run - some of the best timekeeping on this route I've ever noted. Some interesting stuff at Westbury including half of the 59/2s, now here having moved home from Hither Green.

A short break at Weymouth. Time to wander a bit, and to spot the notice below pinned on the doors of the guard's van:

The indistinct bit at the bottom hints at December 10th being the last hauled Brighton service too.


Weather varied wildly during the return journey. Had a notion I'd get one of the Virgin shuttle services up to Gloucester and see if there was a chance of heading to Newport. Plenty of time to board the very late 221114 which was languishing without a driver. Nothing of note happening at Gloucester, and with the blockade between Cheltenham and Birmingham, few options. Back onto the Voyager for Bristol. Train Manager struggling hard to explain that as well as the coach journey that passengers had just endured due to planned engineering works, they may have to do another one if they were heading west of Exeter due to last week's events! Brief wander around a chilly and deserted (though mercifully dry) station before heading back to Weston.

Took a day off work today, ostensibly to get some random refuse which has been lurking outside the flat collected. Neither the usual rubbish collection, nor the recycling people are collecting from the house at present due to the state that a recently departed tenant left things in. So, called on friends to provide a vehicle and finally saw off bags of general rubbish, some dodgy sixth form art projects, and several broken televisions. Once the recycling goes next week, things should be back to normal.

Celebrated by getting a Wessex Rover and heading out with little idea where I was headed. First to Bristol, and straight up to Parkway. Then on to Newport. Wandered around, checking Godfrey Road for interesting activity - nothing much going on. Weather still appalling, services to the South West remained chaotic.

Decided to head for Westbury. 158817 absolutely jammed most of the way, and particularly between Bristol Temple Meads and Bath Spa. Wessex dire unit shortage is biting hard on this route.

Decided to head back to Bristol. The Portsmouth to Cardiff/Penzance arrived very late, very full and after splitting, very confused about its destination due to the trouble on the sea wall and futher West. Flagged it for the Weymouth-Bristol unit which followed. On arrival at Temple Meads, headed for the pub for a belated, low-key birthday drink.